"The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] couples from being granted equal rights and benefits," Inouye said.
"However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system."
Obama, he said, "remains fully committed" to his proposals on gay rights.
Gay rights groups have called on Obama to act more quickly on the major ones, including abandonment of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars gays in the armed forces from disclosing their sexual orientation.
Rodney Scott, president of Christopher Street West, the parade's chief sponsor, said he was "deeply saddened" that Obama's administration was defending the marriage law.
"That's not the president I voted for," he said as thousands of people lining Santa Monica Boulevard cheered the procession of marchers and floats.
Bill Rosendahl, a gay member of the Los Angeles City Council and early Obama supporter, was equally blunt.
"I'm very upset with him on everything he's done regarding us so far," he said.
Among those vowing to fight for the repeal of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that barred same-sex marriage in California, were Villaraigosa and Newsom.
"We're going to do everything we can," Villaraigosa said, "to put this issue back on the ballot."
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michael.finnegan@latimes.com
